Dust Removal Device and Method for Changing a Filter Element in a Dust Removal Device

ABSTRACT

A dust removal device includes a suction head and at least one filter element. The at least one filter element is disposed obliquely within the dust removal device such that floating mounting of the suction head is maintained by automatic, vacuum-induced suction on the at least one filter element. A method for changing a filter element in a dust removal device includes replacing a filter element from above.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dust removal device having a suction head, wherein the suction head comprises at least one filter element, wherein the at least one filter element is arranged obliquely within the suction head. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for changing a filter element in a dust removal device, wherein exchange of the filter element is performed from above.

There are known dust removal devices in the prior art which have filter elements for cleaning the exhaust air within a dust chamber of the dust removal device. In this case, a vacuum is produced within the dust removal device, thus enabling dust or other relatively small objects to be sucked into the interior of the dust removal device by the vacuum or the suction volume flow. This chamber subject to a vacuum in the interior of the dust removal device is preferably also referred to as a vacuum or dust region of the dust removal device. It is the object of the filter elements to filter the dust particles out of the suction volume flow. The filter elements are generally arranged in such a way in the interior of the dust removal device that they are arranged substantially parallel or perpendicular to the walls of the housing or to other internal components within the dust removal device. This is primarily for reasons of saving space and/or of easier installation.

In general, conventional dust removal devices employ a “compression frame” for filter sealing in the vacuum or dust region, but this compression frame has to be secured and guided within the dust removal device in order to achieve dimensionally accurate sealing of the dust chamber. The disadvantage with providing a compression frame of this kind to receive and secure the filter elements is the large number of components required for the installation of a compression frame. These components can be the frame itself, fastening or frame elements or rotary bearings, for example.

Another disadvantage in using a compression frame is that high requirements on the accuracy of the individual components must be imposed in order to ensure good sealing of the dust chamber, which is desirable in order to achieve a good cleaning effect by the filter elements. In particular, the high requirements relate to the dimensions of the individual components and to the tolerances thereof with respect to one another. It is obvious that this makes the production of a dust removal device with a compression frame very complex. Moreover, the provision of effective sealing within a dust removal device is made significantly more difficult.

In some dust removal devices, it has been found that exchanging filter elements is unnecessarily complicated because components of the dust removal device are arranged in the interior thereof in such a way that the filter elements are not easily accessible. As a result, the handling and servicing of the dust removal device are made more difficult. It can also happen that the users of a conventional dust removal device delay necessary renewal of the filter elements because of the complicated handling, but this can lead to adverse effects and/or damage to the motor if the latter is cooled with air that is not filtered in an optimum manner.

It is thus an object of the present invention to overcome the above-described disadvantages of conventional dust removal devices and to provide a dust removal device in which the filter elements can be exchanged in a simple manner. Furthermore, the intention is to provide a dust removal device which comprises as few components as possible or ideally does not require a compression frame. It would furthermore be desirable if only low tolerance requirements had to be imposed on the components within the dust removal device to be provided and nevertheless good sealing of the vacuum or dust chamber of the dust removal device could be achieved.

The object is achieved by a dust removal device comprising at least one filter element. The provided dust removal device is characterized in that the at least one filter element is arranged obliquely within the dust removal device, thus maintaining floating mounting of a suction head of the dust removal device by means of automatic, vacuum-induced suction on the filter elements.

It is preferred according to the invention if the filter elements, preferably together with further internal components of the interior of the dust removal device, seal off the dust chamber of the dust removal device. One significant advantage of the present invention is that floating mounting of the suction head of the provided dust removal device is effected by the oblique arrangement of the filter elements. The suction head preferably forms the upper region of the dust removal device, wherein a lower region of the dust removal device is formed by a collecting container for receiving the dust and/or the contaminants. The suction head preferably comprises the motor and turbine unit of the dust removal device as well as the vacuum or dust region of the dust removal device. Thus, the vacuum required to suck in the dust is preferably produced in the suction head of the dust removal device, wherein the dust sucked in is stored or collected in the collecting container in the dust removal device until the collecting container is emptied.

By virtue of the floating mounting of the suction head, it is advantageously possible to dispense with the use of a compression frame. This leads, in particular, to the advantage that the number of components installed in the dust removal device can be considerably reduced, and therefore the provided dust removal device is less in need of servicing and can be disassembled and assembled more easily. Moreover, the tolerance requirements on the individual components can be reduced because self-adjustment of the elements and components which cooperate in the sealing effect is surprisingly achieved by the suction on the filter elements. It has been found that the presence of a vacuum during the operation of the dust removal device promotes the sealing effect of the filter elements and the suction on the filter elements. According to the invention, it is preferred if, in the context of the present invention, the filter elements are sucked against a lower part of the suction head.

Another advantage of the invention is that, by virtue of the oblique arrangement of the at least one filter element or the V-shaped arrangement of two filter elements, exchange of the filter elements can be performed from above. According to the invention, the term “from above” preferably means that the exchange of the filter elements can be performed from an upper side of the dust removal device, preferably by opening an upper part of the dust removal device in such a way that an interior of the dust removal device is exposed and the at least one filter element of the dust removal device becomes accessible. In particular, the suction head is opened by opening an upper side of the dust removal device, thus enabling the filter elements to be removed from the interior of the dust removal device in a particularly simple and uncomplicated manner. It is thus possible with the invention to implement a “top loader” principle for the exchange of the filter elements, this being associated, in particular, with ergonomic advantages and significantly facilitating the exchange of filter elements and the handling of the dust removal device. In particular, the provided dust removal device with obliquely arranged filter elements allows ergonomic arrangement of the suction head within the dust removal device.

According to the invention, the term “obliquely” preferably means that the at least one filter element of the dust removal device is, in particular, not arranged substantially perpendicularly or parallel to external or internal walls of the housing of the dust removal device. Moreover, it is preferred according to the invention if the filter elements are also not arranged substantially perpendicularly or parallel to internal components in the suction head of the dust removal device. On the contrary, it is preferred according to the invention if the oblique position of the filter elements is defined by an angle alpha, wherein the angle alpha is formed by a central axis, which extends substantially centrally through the dust removal device and the suction head, and by an axis and/or plane, which extends through the at least one filter element. According to the invention, the angle alpha is preferably also referred to as the “slope angle”. The central axis is preferably a virtual axis which can theoretically be laid centrally through the dust removal device. According to the invention, it is preferred if the central axis preferably extends substantially parallel to the substantially straight external walls of the housing of the dust removal device. In other words, it is preferred according to the invention if the central axis extends from the top down or from the bottom up substantially centrally through the suction head.

According to the invention, it is very particularly preferred if the dust removal device has two filter elements, wherein the two filter elements are arranged in a V shape. If the dust removal device comprises two filter elements, the invention relates, in particular, to a filter arrangement which is preferably of V-shaped design or in which the filter elements thereof are arranged in a V shape. According to the invention, a V-shaped arrangement of the filter elements preferably means that the filter elements extend obliquely to one another or are arranged obliquely to one another. In this case, the filter elements preferably do not extend parallel to one another but preferably in such a way that virtual axes which are laid theoretically through the filter elements intersect at a point outside the filter elements. This virtual point of intersection is preferably below the suction head, e.g., in the collecting container or below a setup plane on which the dust removal device is standing. According to the invention, it is very particularly preferred if additional fixing is provided for the filter elements at the virtual point of intersection. Such additional fixing can be implemented by the provision of screws or of an elastomer band, for example.

According to the invention, it is preferred if a first spacing between the filter elements is smaller than a second spacing between the filter elements, wherein the spacings between the filter elements are considered in an upper and in a lower region of the filter elements. Together with other components of the dust removal device, the filter elements preferably form side walls for the vacuum or dust chamber, wherein a width of this vacuum or dust chamber becomes smaller from the top down. In other words, this preferably means that the vacuum or dust chamber tapers from the top down. The two filter elements preferably have a larger spacing relative to one another in the region of the motor-turbine unit than in the region of the inlet duct-suction hose connection, wherein the spacing in the region of the motor-turbine unit is preferably referred to as the upper or second spacing, while the spacing of the filter elements in the region of the inlet duct-suction hose connection is preferably referred to as the lower or first spacing. Since the filter elements preferably do not touch in the lower region of the vacuum or suction chamber, the phrase “V-shaped filter arrangement” represents only an indicative description of the arrangement, wherein, according to the invention, the term “V-shaped” should preferably be interpreted in the sense of the upper region of a letter “V” and, in the context of the present invention—unlike with the letter “V”—the two filter elements of the dust removal device or the two legs of the letter do not meet.

The oblique arrangement of the filter elements can also be described by defining a first slope angle alpha1, which is enclosed by the virtual central axis and a first filter element of the dust removal device for example, as a slope angle with a positive sign, while a second slope angle alpha2, which is enclosed by the virtual central axis and a second filter element of the dust removal device for example, is defined as a slope angle with a negative sign. According to the invention, it is particularly preferred if the slope angles alpha1 and alpha2 are substantially equal in magnitude but have different signs.

According to the invention, it is preferred if the filter elements have a first and a second filter side, wherein the first filter side is arranged facing a motor-turbine unit of the dust removal device, while the second filter side is arranged facing away from the motor-turbine unit. The filter elements are preferably arranged within the suction head with their first filter sides facing one another, wherein a lower spacing between the filter elements is smaller than an upper spacing between the filter elements. The motor-turbine unit of the dust removal device can be arranged in an upper region of a suction head or of a dust removal device, while the inlet duct-suction hose connection preferably forms a lower end of the suction head. This lower region of the suction head preferably faces the dust collecting container, which, in particular, forms the lower region of the dust removal device. It is furthermore preferred if an upper spacing between the filter elements of the dust removal device is assumed in spatial proximity to the motor-turbine unit and a lower spacing between the filter elements of the suction head is assumed in spatial proximity to the inlet duct-suction hose connection. The spacing between the filter elements in the region of the inlet duct-suction hose connection is preferably smaller than a spacing between the filter elements in the region of the motor-turbine unit.

According to the invention, it is preferred if the oblique position of the at least one filter element is defined by an angle alpha, wherein a magnitude of the angle alpha is in a range between 2 and 60°, preferably 4° to 45° and particularly preferably in the region of 10°. The angle sizes mentioned advantageously allow particularly stable fixing of the filter elements within the suction head of the provided dust removal device.

The slope angle alpha1 of a first filter element can preferably be +30°, for example, while the slope angle alpha2 of a second filter element is −30°, for example. The different signs of the slope angles of the filter elements are intended, in particular, to express the fact that the filter elements do not extend parallel to one another, which would be the case if the slope angles had the same sign. It is on the contrary preferred, according to the invention, that the oblique position of the filter elements is brought about by arranging them in such a way that they extend toward one another within the suction head or within the dust chamber.

In one exemplary embodiment, the invention relates to a dust removal device comprising a suction head, wherein the suction head comprises at least one filter element, wherein each filter element has a first filter side, which is arranged facing a motor-turbine unit of the dust removal device, and a second filter side, which is arranged facing away from the motor-turbine unit. The floating mounting of the suction head is effected by automatic, vacuum-induced suction on the at least one filter element, wherein the suction occurs especially during the operation of the dust removal device. The suction is preferably assisted by a vacuum when the dust removal device is being operated. According to the invention it is preferred if the vacuum which is brought about during operation of the dust removal device assists optimum sealing in a synergistic way.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for changing a filter element in a dust removal device, comprising the following steps:

a) opening an upper part of the dust removal device, thus exposing an interior of the dust removal device and making the filter element of the dust removal device accessible,

b) removing the filter element from the interior of the dust removal device, wherein the removal of the filter element is performed from above,

c) inserting a new filter element into the interior of the dust removal device, wherein the insertion of the new filter element is performed from above.

The terms, definitions and technical advantages introduced for the dust removal device apply in analogous fashion to the provided method for changing a filter element. According to the invention, it is preferred if the dust removal device on which the method is carried out is a dust removal device according to the present invention. However, there may likewise be preference for it to be some other dust removal device. According to the invention, it is particularly preferred if the exchange of the filter elements from above corresponds to the implementation of a “top loader” principle for dust removal devices, leading to user-friendly and particularly convenient handling and easier changing of filters for the user of the provided dust removal device. This advantage is achieved, in particular, by the oblique positioning of the at least one filter element within the suction head within the dust removal device and the associated floating mounting of the suction head, which can advantageously be arranged in a particularly flexible manner in respect of its horizontal position within the dust removal device. Moreover, the invention advantageously leads to the possibility of producing the component dimensions with larger tolerances since the vacuum-induced suction on the filter elements brings about self-adjustment of the filter elements within the suction head. According to the invention, it is preferred if method steps b) and c) can be repeated if the dust removal device comprises more than one filter element.

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the figures. The figures, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to produce expedient further combinations.

In the figures, identical components and components of identical type are designated by identical reference signs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dust removal device; and

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a suction head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dust removal device (1). Arranged in the upper region of the dust removal device (1) is a suction head (2), while the lower region of the dust removal device (1) is formed by a collecting container (3) for receiving the dust sucked in.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a suction head (2), wherein at least one filter element (4) is arranged in the suction head (2) of the dust removal device (1). In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the dust removal device (1) comprises two filter elements (4), which are arranged obliquely within the suction head (2). In the case of a filter assembly with two filter elements (4), it is preferred if the two filter elements (4) have the shape of a letter “V”. The arrangement of the filter elements (4) or the oblique position of the filter elements (4) can be described by a slope angle (12) alpha, which is defined by two theoretical axes (11, 12). A virtual central axis (10) preferably extends centrally from the top down through the suction head (2) or the dust removal device (1). The axis with the reference axis 11 preferably extends through a filter element (4). According to the invention, it is particularly preferred if the axis (11) extends substantially parallel to the front and rear filter sides (8, 9) of the filter elements (4) or is defined by these filter sides (8, 9).

The filter elements (4)—possibly together with other components of the dust removal device (1)—form a dust chamber (7), which is sealed off by the filter elements (4).

A motor-turbine unit (5) is arranged in an upper region of the suction head (2), wherein the first filter sides (8) of the filter elements (4) of the motor-turbine unit (5) are arranged facing one another. An inlet duct-suction hose connection (6) is arranged in a lower region of the suction head (2).

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   -   1 Dust removal device     -   2 Suction head     -   3 Collecting container     -   4 Filter element     -   5 Motor-turbine unit     -   6 Inlet duct-suction hose connection     -   7 Dust chamber     -   8 First filter side     -   9 Second filter side     -   10 Central axis     -   11 Axis passing through a filter element     -   12 Slope angle alpha 

1.-6. (canceled)
 7. A dust removal device, comprising: a suction head; and at least one filter element; wherein the at least one filter element is disposed obliquely within the dust removal device such that floating mounting of the suction head is maintained by automatic, vacuum-induced suction on the at least one filter element.
 8. The dust removal device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one filter element comprises two filter elements and wherein the two filter elements are disposed in a V shape.
 9. The dust removal device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the two filter elements are disposed within the dust removal device such that respective filter sides of the two filter elements face one another and wherein a lower spacing between the two filter elements is smaller than an upper spacing between the two filter elements.
 10. The dust removal device as claimed in claim 7, wherein an oblique position of the at least one filter element is defined by an angle formed by a central axis which extends substantially centrally through the dust removal device and by an axis which extends through the at least one filter element.
 11. The dust removal device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the angle is in a range between 2° and 60°.
 12. A method for changing a filter element in a dust removal device, comprising the steps of: a) opening an upper part of the dust removal device and thus exposing an interior of the dust removal device and making a first filter element of the dust removal device accessible; b) removing the first filter element from the interior of the dust removal device, wherein the removing of the first filter element is performed from above; and c) inserting a second filter element into the interior of the dust removal device, wherein the inserting of the second filter element is performed from above, after step b). 